ADRIAN — More than 1,600 students from 10 schools across Lenawee County were introduced Thursday to an international initiative to encourage them to eliminate bullying and to make a positive difference in others’ lives.

Bill Sanders from Rachel’s Challenge spoke to students from Addison, Adrian, Blissfield, Clinton, Britton Deerfield, Onsted, Lenawee Christian, Madison, JCC-LISD Academy and Sand Creek in two sessions at Adrian College’s Dawson Auditorium. He spoke about the peer-building initiative of Rachel Scott, the first student killed April 20, 1999, during the Columbine High School shooting in Littleton, Colo.

Sanders said Rachel’s Challenge’s message is based on how Scott lived, by seeking out kids deemed unpopular and befriending them, as well as her journal writings released after her death.

“I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same,” Scott wrote shortly before she died. “People will never know how far a little kindness can go.”

Rachel's Challenge was started by Rachel’s dad and stepmother, Darrell and Sandy Scott. Sanders, who is one of the organization’s panel speakers, co-wrote the traveling program. Adrian’s presentation was co-sponsored by the college, Midwest Energy Cooperative and Touchstone Energy.

Sanders said Rachel’s Challenge highlights five points to consider:

— Look for the best in others.

— Dream big.

— Choose positive influences.

— Speak with kindness.

— Start your own chain reaction.

Sanders said that in the spirit of Scott and the writings of Martin Luther King Jr., hate can be eliminated through love and acts of kindness.

“You’re the reasons we’ve worked so hard over the last 13 years,” Sanders said.

After the programs concluded, 100 students met to take training sessions on how to bring in-district branches of Rachel’s Challenge to their schools.

Annabell Nolasco, a sophomore at the JCC-LISD Academy in Adrian, said the program had an emotional impact on her and presents an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of her peers.

“It makes you aware of yourself and the little things you can do,” she said.

Colby Weitenhagen, a freshman at Madison High School, said he finds himself living Scott’s legacy on a daily basis and plans to train to bring the program to Madison in a student capacity.

“When I see a new person, I talk to them a lot and try to be a positive influence,” he said.